Baselworld is only a few weeks away. Getting the latest news is easy, Click Here for info on how to join the Watchuseek.com newsletter list. Follow our team for updates featuring event coverage, new product unveilings, watch industry news & more!

I'm looking to start service with TWC cable (internet + TV) sometime in near future, but I dont want to spend any more then is absolutely necessary

my tv is the Samsung PN50B650 50" plasma which apparently has built in Clear QAM digital tuner. I dont think my TV is CableCard compatible.

My question is this:
-what service do I need to ask for in order to utilize my TV's tuner instead of paying an additional $11/month for HD/Digital set-top box ? If I can utilize my TV tuner and pick up most (if not all) my channels in HD that I would normally get from the set-top, i would much rather go this route and save the money. I dont mind losing features like on-screen guide or Start Over, etc..

- what are other down sides to using built in QAM tuner instead of set-top box?

Thanks!!

You will only get the local broadcast stations (main and most subchannels) in clear QAM. A few other SD channels are consistently available, such as the local TWC news channel. There are no clear QAM HD cable services at all. Virtually all cable services are both encrypted and SDV (switched digital video - services are carried only when someone is actually watching and physical channel cab vary from session to session).

For more or less "full service", the only real alternative to renting a box from TWC is to rent a cable card from them and plug it into a third party cable card tuner that is compatible with SDV, such as units available from Ceton or SiliconDust. The necessary SDV tuning adapters are "free" from TWC.

I'm looking to start service with TWC cable (internet + TV) sometime in near future, but I dont want to spend any more then is absolutely necessary

my tv is the Samsung PN50B650 50" plasma which apparently has built in Clear QAM digital tuner. I dont think my TV is CableCard compatible.

My question is this:
-what service do I need to ask for in order to utilize my TV's tuner instead of paying an additional $11/month for HD/Digital set-top box ? If I can utilize my TV tuner and pick up most (if not all) my channels in HD that I would normally get from the set-top, i would much rather go this route and save the money. I dont mind losing features like on-screen guide or Start Over, etc..

- what are other down sides to using built in QAM tuner instead of set-top box?

Thanks!!

With any of the TV sevices from the lowest to highest you can get the local OTA HD channels (those that you can get with an antenna). Everything else will be analog SD. The other Digital & HD stuff will be encrypted. If all you want is HD, save some money & get an antenna, Samsung TV's have good ATSC tunners.

Posted about this issue a few weeks back and nobody really addressed it. To reiterate:

I'm using an SA8300HD DVR running MDN software. They pushed out an update about 3 weeks back that cut my buffer time from 1 hour back to 30 minutes. It's always been an hour, in every DVR TWC has ever offered. It's what God wants. In a word, this sucks. Has nobody else noticed it or am I the sole target of a diabolical TWC plot? Dang, I was only late on my bill once.

Another issue is that the box doesn't seem to be recording scheduled programming when it's turned off (i.e. in the "off" state but still powered on). Used to be, it didn't matter whether the box was "off" or "on" to record something. Nasty of them to spring that on us and ruin my chance to see Dr. Who's latest X-mas special after returning home from visiting my dear sweet Mom. She's got Cox Cable in Fairfax. Her DVR is running Passport, which TWC used to use in the good ol' days. I was so green with envy that I didn't eat any of her Special Holiday Fruitcake.

So, is this stuff a TWC Navigator thing, just an MDN thing (you ODN guys feel free to chime in anytime...), or an archiguy-only thing? I've already had to replace my last box that blew the HDMI board and lost 700GB of programming on the expansion drive, now this? Oh, the humanity.

Posted about this issue a few weeks back and nobody really addressed it. To reiterate:

I'm using an SA8300HD DVR running MDN software. They pushed out an update about 3 weeks back that cut my buffer time from 1 hour back to 30 minutes. It's always been an hour, in every DVR TWC has ever offered. It's what God wants. In a word, this sucks. Has nobody else noticed it or am I the sole target of a diabolical TWC plot? Dang, I was only late on my bill once.

Another issue is that the box doesn't seem to be recording scheduled programming when it's turned off (i.e. in the "off" state but still powered on). Used to be, it didn't matter whether the box was "off" or "on" to record something. Nasty of them to spring that on us and ruin my chance to see Dr. Who's latest X-mas special after returning home from visiting my dear sweet Mom. She's got Cox Cable in Fairfax. Her DVR is running Passport, which TWC used to use in the good ol' days. I was so green with envy that I didn't eat any of her Special Holiday Fruitcake.

So, is this stuff a TWC Navigator thing, just an MDN thing (you ODN guys feel free to chime in anytime...), or an archiguy-only thing? I've already had to replace my last box that blew the HDMI board and lost 700GB of programming on the expansion drive, now this? Oh, the humanity.

I never noticed the buffer time on mine, and all three DVRs record when off (that is, except for when they get confused and just decide they don't want to record certain shows at all).

How do I know if I am running passport or MDN?

(btw- the christmas special was pretty good. You can get it on itunes if you haven't seen it yet)

I have recently moved into a new home and got the whole home dvr package. When the guy came out to install he had to run a feed from the pole to the house. He also added two more outlets in the spare bedrooms. The main room which already had a jack is where the main DVR is. My complaint is that some of the HD channels are black or are high pixelated but the downstairs client box can view all the channels just fine. Also if I go to the non HD version of the same channel, I can view it just fine. What can be done for me to get those channels in the main room without having to get the run around from TWC? I have tried to reboot and sometimes that works but not usually.

What can be done for me to get those channels in the main room without having to get the run around from TWC? I have tried to reboot and sometimes that works but not usually.

Thanks,

Colin

I am a little confused- how many dvrs do you have? Is there one in each room that we are talking about? Is the multi-room working at all?

If you aren't getting a good picture, just call them, and they will at least check the signal.

This might sound dumb but make sure that the output resolutions are set right on the cable box (by "right", I mean something that the TV can handle)
EDIT- Also make sure that you are connected via component or hdmi when selecting HD channels

I had a problem VERY early on in my MRV, and I did something like this to isolate the problem:

Find a channel/show that looks good on one tv and bad on another, and record it on each. Then try playing back both locally and streamed, this might help you figure out if it is the LOCAl box that is the problem. This might give you something to show the TWC guy when he comes out, also.

My problem was specifically with USA-hd- it simply would NOT stream. They did fix that though

Another thought would be to try swapping the boxes room-to-room, to see if the problems stay with the box, or with the jack.

Find a channel/show that looks good on one tv and bad on another, and record it on each. Then try playing back both locally and streamed, this might help you figure out if it is the LOCAl box that is the problem. This might give you something to show the TWC guy when he comes out, also.

My problem was specifically with USA-hd- it simply would NOT stream. They did fix that though

Another thought would be to try swapping the boxes room-to-room, to see if the problems stay with the box, or with the jack.

All the resolution and all is correctly set. Its funny because when I switch to say the Food NetworkHD it will be black. But when I hit to the Select button on the remote and select start over, I can watch the show just fine but its the recorded and not "live".

I called them when this initially happened and they sent a signal and did all that jazz and it worked fine. I flipped through a few channels with them on the phone, then as soon as I hang up, I flip to a channel its black.

All the resolution and all is correctly set. Its funny because when I switch to say the Food NetworkHD it will be black. But when I hit to the Select button on the remote and select start over, I can watch the show just fine but its the recorded and not "live".

I called them when this initially happened and they sent a signal and did all that jazz and it worked fine. I flipped through a few channels with them on the phone, then as soon as I hang up, I flip to a channel its black.

I suppose Ill try and swap boxes out tonight and see what happens.

Thanks,

Colin

Not that this is a solution, but what happens if you just "jump" back a little bit, rather than starting over?

I never noticed the buffer time on mine, and all three DVRs record when off (that is, except for when they get confused and just decide they don't want to record certain shows at all).

Checking the buffer time is real easy. After a channel - any channel - has been playing for an hour or more, hit "info" and see how much buffer you have recorded. Or, simply start backing up and see where it runs out - at the 30 minute mark or the 60 minute mark. It's been 60 minutes since they introduced DVR service, and cutting it in half is a big reduction in functionality for no decernable reason. Ditto the whole thing about not recording when in the "off" state. Why? I'm pretty pissed about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrs

How do I know if I am running passport or MDN?

TWC no longer uses the excellent Passport software. A few years back they decided they could save money by bringing their DVR software development in house. Thus was born the demon spawn "Navigator". There are two versions of Navigator, ODN and MDN. They want to phase out MDN, so I'm wondering if this is another way of crippling that program to "persuade" their customers to move to another DVR running ODN.

If you have an SA8300HD (not HDC, mind you) you're running MDN. If so, you have the bonus of being able to add an external expansion drive via the eSATA port, thereby giving you virtually unlimited programming storage. Any other model of DVR, and it's running ODN. That version doesn't support expansion drives, and it's slower as well.

Checking the buffer time is real easy. After a channel - any channel - has been playing for an hour or more, hit "info" and see how much buffer you have recorded. Or, simply start backing up and see where it runs out - at the 30 minute mark or the 60 minute mark. It's been 60 minutes since they introduced DVR service, and cutting it in half is a big reduction in functionality for no decernable reason. Ditto the whole thing about not recording when in the "off" state. Why? I'm pretty pissed about it.

TWC no longer uses the excellent Passport software. A few years back they decided they could save money by bringing their DVR software development in house. Thus was born the demon spawn "Navigator". There are two versions of Navigator, ODN and MDN. They want to phase out MDN, so I'm wondering if this is another way of crippling that program to "persuade" their customers to move to another DVR running ODN.

If you have an SA8300HD (not HDC, mind you) you're running MDN. If so, you have the bonus of being able to add an external expansion drive via the eSATA port, thereby giving you virtually unlimited programming storage. Any other model of DVR, and it's running ODN. That version doesn't support expansion drives, and it's slower as well.

Checking the buffer time is real easy. After a channel - any channel - has been playing for an hour or more, hit "info" and see how much buffer you have recorded. Or, simply start backing up and see where it runs out - at the 30 minute mark or the 60 minute mark. It's been 60 minutes since they introduced DVR service, and cutting it in half is a big reduction in functionality for no decernable reason. Ditto the whole thing about not recording when in the "off" state. Why? I'm pretty pissed about it.

My boxes are Explorer 8642HDCs. I checked yesterday- they have a 60 minute buffer.

LOL I don't really care who you go with they are all a rip off. They have what you want. It's like crack cocaine and they know they got you hooked.

My neighbor has it down. He switches from TW to DTV to Dish every 2 years. He gets the low intro rates and when they jack the rates up he cancels and moves on.

LOL I'd do the same but the SAT companies don't offer dishes that see through trees and rain. The woods end right at my house. My neighbor has no obstructions. I could put it towards the front of the house but the wifey says no way in he!!. I also have 8 HD TVs and neither of the SAT companies have a decent solution for that.

And then there is the 50mps internet... I am telling you it's like crack! Once you had 50mps you will never go back!!

LOL I don't really care who you go with they are all a rip off. They have what you want. It's like crack cocaine and they know they got you hooked.

My neighbor has it down. He switches from TW to DTV to Dish every 2 years. He gets the low intro rates and when they jack the rates up he cancels and moves on.

LOL I'd do the same but the SAT companies don't offer dishes that see through trees and rain. The woods end right at my house. My neighbor has no obstructions. I could put it towards the front of the house but the wifey says no way in he!!. I also have 8 HD TVs and neither of the SAT companies have a decent solution for that.

And then there is the 50mps internet... I am telling you it's like crack! Once you had 50mps you will never go back!!

So I will have to go and get the KY and let TW have at it!!

For the record, I don't work for DirecTV (but I do own TWC stock) and I was rocking 50/5 in August of 2010. I was one of the first to get Signature home in town.

Also, for the record, my dish has no problem "seeing" through the rain. Though, I take the time to peak my ODU on my own until I have 100% signal strength and have yet to have any breakup due to weather. Though, in fairness, we've yet to have a good ice storm lately. Those always seem to knock it out. But, my dish is right out back and I can hit it with some warm water.

While not quite to 8, the new HR34 is bangin' with 5 tuners and can RDU to 3 sets at the same time. So, no set top boxes if your TV's have the RDU functionality built in.

The point of the post was that, despite all of TWC's whining, they can't really blame price hikes (that much) on the demands of cable broadcasters.

The point of the post was that, despite all of TWC's whining, they can't really blame price hikes (that much) on the demands of cable broadcasters.

Don't think I agree with that statement...Programmers are killing cable/dish providers slowly...Revenue is up because of the TWC expansion into business class telecomm. services. Programmers hold all the cards and until there is some parity in what the over the top providers have to pay, video subs will continue to decline as the technology to utilize those services becomes easier to utilize to joe average...

I doubt that he can get those things without a digital cable package. IF he can, he needs a multi-card that can decode multiple streams at once...

Well, according to this TWC offers the HD feeds on their broadcast package. And honestly I thought all cable companies are required to include *all* local broadcast feeds in all of their packages. But I dont know.

Quote:

With digital cable, the tuning adapter is free- but the card costs a few dollars a month.

My question is more directed at whether or not a tuning adapter is required for the specific broadcast package. The TWC installer said it wasn't, but I don't know whether to believe him. He also said that a cablecard isn't required to get the package, but demonstrably, my friend can't get the HD feeds he's paying for w/o the cablecard.

Anyone seeing a black band at the top of the pic on the SuperBowl? My set is set to full scan and I have a 3/4" wide black band. Commercials look fine, local insert looks fine. Game only has the problem.